1 comments about Tales from the Drag Strip with "Big Daddy" Don Garlits.

1. This book is just like sitting down and having a conversation with drag racing's greatest driver. I have been a fan of Don Garlits all my life. This book contained details I did not know about familiar Garlits stories. Definitely worth the money and time. I will be re-reading this book, something I never do.

No comments about Michael Owen in Person: England's Hero Lets You In To His Private World.

5 comments about Bill Snyder: They Said It Couldn't Be Done.

1. My order was easy to make and was shipped to me very quickly and in perfect condition. I was very satisfied. Thank You!



2. Excellent book - easy reading as it chronicles his "miracle in Manhattan." A must reading for every Wildcat fan and great material for young and/or aspiring coaches to see "that it can be done!"



3. Our experience was great, no problems, book came in timely manner, and the book itself was in great condition and was great reading material.



4. i'm always in perspective of a successful coach.this book provides great insight into what made bill snyder the positive influence that he was.



5. What Bill Snyder did at Kansas State is easily, the greatest coaching job, in any sport, at any time, EVER......
   
   Beyond belief is the only way I can even start to describe how BAD Kansas State football was before Snyder took over.
   
   Bill Snyder is maybe the greatest coach of all-time, in any sport. This book should be required reading for ALL business leaders and employees in America. Follow Snyder's steps to success, and apply them to your own life, and you CANNOT fail. Total comittment, goal setting, respect, loyalty, persistence, serious organization, and believing in others, are key components to Snyder's winning formula. The man worked 100 hour weeks, 12 months a year to make this miracle a reality. It's amazing, and it's true......

1 comments about The Jack Brabham Story.

1. I have many books about the man and the machine but as you would expect the best details come from Black Jack's own pen. Excellent information especially his pre Grand Prix life and Cooper years which aren't covered well in other Brabham books. Great photos from his personal collection. Best of all you get his true feelings about his career, life and specific incidents.
   
   This book is a must have if you are a serious fan of the history of Formula One.

2 comments about Out on the Deep Blue: Women, Men, and the Oceans They Fish.

1. This book is a collection of storys of commercial fishing from fishing in the bering sea or around alaska sea urchin fishing in the atlantic also fishing in louisana.Some are well known authors for those familar with commercial fishing and books that i would definitely recommend if you like this book.Such as linda greenlaws book "The hungry ocean" spike walkers book "working on the edge working in alaskas most dangerous profession" an excellent book .This book cover some womens roles in fishing as in fishing for crabs in the bering sea some tough women. I would also recommend any book by william mccloskey whether it be fiction or non fiction



2. Reading this book, I felt right on the water--pitching and rolling with the waves. The first essay by Marie Beaver brings the reader directly into the essence of what it means to work in a natural environment and to make choices about one's life. Thank you to Fields for collecting a reminder of a natural world and an occupation now in decline.

2 comments about Chess is My Life: Edition OLMS.

1. Though somewhat superficial and brief. This gets 4 stars because Viktor is uncompromising in his honesty and he presents his unvarnished feelings, in more cases than not negative ones, about the institutions and people that affected his life. Despite being a curmudgeon Korchnoi comes across as actually being likeable.
   
   In the beginning of this new edition of his autobiography he mentions that he cut out much of the description of his tournaments and the emotions he felt during them. This is quite a shame as Viktor is a chess player and any lessening of the focus on his chess events and his dealing with tournaments lessens the book. Imagine a biography of a sports star that didn't mention much about his sport.
   
   Much of the book is about his battles with the Soviet machine, particularly Karpov. In these portions he unapologetically displays some strange ideas about para-psychology.
   
   The editing of the book is unfortunately poor, with the narrative jumping around rather than being in a linear order. There are also some minor errors where Korchnoi gets some names wrong that he couldn't be expected to remember correctly but that an editor should have had fact checked.
   
   On the whole though an interesting look at the life of one of the longest high-level careers in chess history.



2. Still i Don't have read completely this book but I want to recommend the same to all the chess fans.
   I saw to play Korchnoi twice in Pamplona: it seems to me like a fighter, a warrior but a gentleman also.
   The book tell us the life in USSR inside and outside the chess environment and the breakout of the Soviet Union.
   They are bery interesting the opinion about the rivals (and colleagues).
   Very recommended.

5 comments about Ski to Die: The Bill Johnson Story.

1. America perversely loves to witness the high and mighty fall from grace especially if the fall may be deserved. This is especially true in the high-ocatane world of ski racing. A very compelling story in its own right, Ski to Die describes the self-destruction of Bill Johnson, the first American ski racer to win the gold medal in the Downhill during the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
   
   It is a tragic story with no happy ending, and it truly grips the reader as Johnson's life unravels due to his inability to handle his post-Olympic success. Aggressive, arrogant, selfish, and reckless with his professional and personal life, Johnson is unable to translate his one and only Olympic victory into a truly rewarding life off the mountain. As a result, he descends into an emotionally hellish life riddled with setbacks and disappointments all by his own hand. Seventeen-plus years after his victory with nothing else to lose, Johnson, washed-up and broken at age 40, defied convention as he had done throughout his life, and attempted a comeback in the ski world by qualifying for a berthing spot on the U.S Ski Team in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was not to be. Johnson suffered a horrific ski crash while qualifying in early 2001 in Michigan that left him a physical and mental invalid seemingly destined to fade into obscurity as a one-race Olympic wonder.
   
   Told from people in Johnson's life (family, friends, teammates, rivals, and coaches), Jennifer Woodlief weaves a story that is too simply conveyed and voyeuristic. It is voyeuristic in that Woodlief does not provide enough analysis into what motivates Johnson's self-destructive behavior other than the cursory themes of being raised in a highly dysfunctional family and suffering from childhood abandonment issues. While a very credible foundation, there is no attempt to thoroughly explore Johnson's psyche other than the anecdotal yet poignant he-said, she-said viewpoints from a multitude of people. The other drawback is that the story is episodic and not sequential, making it complicated for the reader to logically follow Johnson's difficult life from childhood to adulthood. Instead we are treated to everything in between in non-linear fashion which diffuses Johnson's descent into hell, instead of building his descent in a crescending concentrated manner. Because of this awkward narrative, the reader is left feeling sorry yet not that overly sympathetic for Johnson's demise.
   
   Nevertheless, this book will serve as a cautionary tale to those whose ambitions far exceed their capabilities. Tommy Moe, the second US skier who won the Olympic Downhill in 1994 ten years after Johnson, summed it best when he said he used Johnson's life (or lack thereof) as a template on how not to handle success. More power to Moe and anyone else who reads this book.



2. I also saw the update story on Johnson's life after the comeback attempt. I was anxious to get the book but was disappointed in the author's writing style.



3. I saw the story on HBO Real Sports and it looked really interesting. I was disappointed with the writing. It didn't seem to flow. The author would go from childhood and progress, but along the way, she would skip from age 13 to 15 to graduating from high school and then back to 14. It just didn't flow and I found it frustrating to read.



4. Although not a sports fan, I was unable to put down the book. Even though it is cleathr from the start what will happen to Bill, the author manages to keep the dramatic tension alive so that the reader keeps hoping for a different ending.



5. Excellent read! Ski to Die is a gripping story that chronicles the life and times of a talented and cocky egomaniac from a dysfunctional family with social skills to match. Despite Bill Johnson's social handicap, as I read the book--which I couldn't put down--I found myself wanting to like him and rooting for him more and more. It is both a heartbreaking and compelling story--and one that shows us the tragedy that can ensue by setting the bar too high for ourselves at a young age.
   
   I highly recommend this book, whether you're a skier or not, and can't wait for this author's next book!

5 comments about Stories Off the Wall.

1. This makes book makes you stop and think about life and how to live it. You can sit back like most of us do and just exist or you can push to the limits like Roskelley and enjoy some of the greatest personal achievements possible. But this comes at a cost, he's lost friends and climbing partners and I'm sure it's been very difficult on his family relationships. From the sounds of things though, I don't think he would change how his life has turned out. If your thinking about hooking yourself to a rock anytime soon, read this just to make sure you know what your getting into.



2. Having enjoyed reading Nanda Devi, I bought this book as I liked Roskelly's writing style and subjects. In this book, Roskelly writes short stories from throughout his climbing career and provides a good framework of how he became a climber and how he stayed alive. Probably the most interesting theme through this book was the value he placed on having good climbing partners and how close he was to the partners. That's interesting because it was very clear from reading Nanda Devi that he was very opinionated and compromise is not his specialty. Not only does he stow high praise on these climbing partners, but there is also a story of a renowned hunter who befriends Roskelly and eventually struggles with cancer. This was a particularly heartwarming story of a great individual and his unique ability to hunt.

   But the stories that will leave you wanting more involve high-altitude climbing where death is close at hand. One particular story has Roskelly awakening in the middle of the night realizing he is suffering from pulmonary edema and will die if he doesn't drop altitude.

   This book provides great mountaineering stories as well as insight into the life of John Roskelly, the renowned climber. I highly recommend this book for anyone with interest in mountain climbing.




3. John Roskelley is arguably the greatest American mountaineer of his generation. His credentials are awesome, and he is alive to tell the tale. He is a rarity: a great climber who can also write. Usually the two do not go together; the only other exception I can think of is Austrian great Kurt Diemburger.

   Mr. Roskelley's snapshot-style autobiography is a delight. Beginning in his 16th year as a wild child with incredible energy and no focus, he discovered, with the help of his father, the Spokane Mountaineers Club. He never looked back. They treated him as an "adult," which was of vital importance to him, and after his first trek up Mt. Rainier, he knew he had a "forever longing to be above those clouds."

   He found himself an unlikely partner who was as preppie, straight arrow as John was wild and rebellious, but they made a perfect team. Both were impatient to a fault, resolute and absolutely fearless as you can only be when you are that young. They rock-climbed at Yosemite, climbed icefalls in Idaho and attacked Dengali (otherwise known as Mt. McKinley) in Alaska.

   At an age when most climbers are totally unrecognized, he was invited on a climb up Dhaulgiri, a 26,800 ft. monster in Nepal, Himalaya. He wasn't quite sure what it was; he just knew he wanted to go. The team's successful ascent was only the third that had ever been made.

   Mr. Roskelley brings a lot of practicality, bluntness and a touch of the poet when he recounts his adventures and the friends he has made along the way. I am sure he can be a difficult friend. He never minces words and has an appalling way of "laying it on the line" letting tender sensibilities fly where they may. His tenacity in achieving his goals is sometimes like being confronted with a charging Mack truck. He has a reputation of being the worst of the macho, MCP (male chauvinist pig) in a group that is famous for these traits. I don't think this is an entirely a fair evaluation. He doesn't like anything to interfere with the dedication and concentration it takes to successfully climb a difficult peak. Romances and groupies are prime distractions. He has no patience or tolerance for either. Yet he displays in his fine writing a romantic, lyrical side that would probably amaze his good buds on the mountain.

   I recommend this book highly to anyone from the armchair adventurer to the skilled climber to someone who just wants a highly entertaining read.




4. For a guy with the reputation of being something of a Neanderthal, Roskelley writes really well. This is an expressive, lucid book which only occasionally slips over the edge into macho and/or sentimentality. Recommended!



5. Bottom line is that this is a book that is written like it is. Life of a climber means broken relationships, hard times, and amazing acomplishments. This book is down to earth and is a good read from start to finish. Probably the best book he has written

5 comments about Rookie on Tour.

1. Paulson's book is a wonderful example of life on tour; however, there are too many shot-by-shot (blow-by-blow?) descriptions of individual tournaments. I found interesting Paulson's description of the differences between the mini tours and the big time (notably pressure, casualness of players, social interaction) and I enjoyed his descriptions of his first year on the tour. Unfortunately, after he failed to keep his card after his first year, the story becomes the same, albeit much more knowledge gained for our hero. I guess I was expecting more description about what life held for him out there that first year, not play-by-play. Overall, I enjoyed the book because it is easy reading and thoroughly enjoyable, but (much like Tracy Stewart's book about her late, great husband), simply written. For a much better read on getting on the tour and keeping your card, I recommend Q School Confidential, by David Gould.



2. This is a good golf book. Unassuming, hardworking golfer who until I read this book, I hadn't heard of. Selected this book on a whim, but really enjoyed it. Believe all golfers would, as it shows what it's like to be a golfer of Carl's caliber and how competitive it really is out there. The narrowness at the top, and how illusive it is to stay there.



3. I thought it was a great book. It answered so many questions I have always wondered about. How do you really get on the Tour? How do you stay there? What kind of perks are offered to pro golfers? What is the inside life really like? If you play good golf and have always toyed with thoughts of trying to play professionally, this book is for you. Paulson provides those answers plus his own personal experiences in actually doing it all. Great reading. I wish he would write a sequel.



4. I do. This book helps me answer that questions. I learned about some of the inner workings of the tour and how difficult life really is for these players. The other books I have read that say they are an inside view of the tour are written by outsiders and are mainly summaries of the year with a few extra quotes thrown in. Paulson leads us through his mood swings and difficulties as he tries to make it on tour. Worth the read.



5. I found the book to be very shallow in its view on the inner workings or life on the tour. It seamed to be more of a quick diary of Paulson's daily play on Tour. There was a lot of "I shot 74 but if I putted it would have been 70", but very little was written of other players, caddies, agents, equiptment reps, etc., and how they played into his time on the tour. I guess I was looking for a lot more than what the book delivered.

5 comments about The Sand Man: An Autobiography.

1. If you are at all a volleyball person, this book is required reading. It's that simple. Karch was called the best indoor player in the world and proved himself the best beach player as well. What's better than hearing the story of the greatest player the sport has yet known from his own lips?



2. Karch Kiraly is simply the best volleyball player ever to play the game. So, of course, this read was very insightful, heartwarming, and humourous at times. I couldn't put my copy down at all. I have read it twice.

   I say that Karch is the man with the "midas touch" because everything he touches is golden; his life with family and friends, the kind of role model he is to so many, and lastly for his volleyball accomplishments. It has been a pleasure to follow his career as well as read about his life in his book entitled, "The Sand Man."

   I would encourage any volleyball fan to pick up this highly recommended book and to have it signed by Karch if they see him at an event soon!

   Best of luck to Karch in the future and keep writing because your fans love it!




3. I knew this was to be my Xmas pressie this year and so it was frustrating waiting for the 25th! As soon as I unwrapped it I couldn't put it down; in the end my wife became annoyed and told me that I would get no lunch until I put the book away. This book is a great read with lots of bits and pieces. There are various inspiring stories that make me want to get down to a beach (yes we do have them in England) and restart training. Living in this volleyball deprived nation it's great to have something like this book to get me through the long and dark winter. Just buy the book it's fabulous! Write to me! volleyball@tesco.net



4. In basketball there's Jordan, in baseball it's Ruth, in Golf it's Nicklaus, auto racing's king is Richard Petty. In the world of indoor and beach volleyball one man stands alone at the top the mountain - that man is Karch Kiraly.

   Karch Kiraly is the most decorated volleyball player in the history of the sport and at age 39, he's still the most feared name on the court. The Sand Man is the first book to truly capture this often misunderstood icon of the AVP.

   From his first tournament at age 15 to the Atlanta Olympic gold medal in 1996, Karch Kiraly is truly the greatest player ever to spike a volleyball. I can not begin to say how great this book was.

   Laced with stories and photos, this book is the tied for number one in my reviews of 1999. For the serious volleyball fan, this is the must read of the year. Best of luck in Sidney in 2000 Karch!




5. When most people tune in to watch the AVP, they often notice one thing - some guy out there is wearing a pink hat. The man underneath that hat is, undoubtedly, the greatest volleball player to ever step on the court (or the sand). This is the life story of Karch Kiraly and his accomplishments in life as well as on the court. Always a gentlemenly competitor, we get to see the few flare-ups and frustrations along with the glory of his storied career. Starting from birth and ending with last season's (1998) success with Adam Johnson, this book chronicles Karch's travels, his loves, the people he admires that came before, and his devotion to his children. A must-read for anyone who enjoys the sport and the man who has helped bring it to new heights.